Latest news with #Qasim
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Kashmir Affairs, GB & SAFRON: Senate body meets to elect chairperson
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee (SSC) on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit Baltistan and SAFRON met on Tuesday at Parliament House to elect its chairperson. Senator Asad Qasim, unanimously, elected as chairman of the committee. His nomination was proposed by Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto and seconded by Senator Sherry Rehman. The committee members congratulated the newly elected chairman, Senator Qasim, and expressed confidence in his ability to manage the affairs of the committee, as the Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan hold strategic and national importance. Senator Qasim expressed gratitude to the members for their support and stated that the committee will strive to address the issues of Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, following the footsteps of the late Senator Prof Sajid Mir. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
India.com
14-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Why Pakistan Is Watching Imran Khan's Sons Like It Once Watched Benazir Bhutto
New Delhi: When power is stripped away, who carries the flame forward? The question echoes in Pakistan's charged political landscape. At a time when Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi houses a former prime minister (Imran Khan) behind its stone walls and iron bars, a wave brews outside. The call for resistance has been raised again by his party (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf). This time, the murmurs grow louder for who might step forward. In drawing rooms and digital spaces, people speak of two young men living far from the heat of Pakistani politics, their faces known more from photographs than podiums. Qasim and Suleman, Khan's sons. For years, they remained at a distance both geographically and politically. Britain shaped their upbringing. Their mother's world shaped their privacy. Even when their father held the highest office in the land, their names never touched political headlines. But something shifted. In the last few weeks, voices close to them suggest the two brothers now want to be seen and heard. They have spoken, they have given interviews and they have questioned why their father has been cut off from them. Some around them have said they first plan to travel to the United States. There, they hope to speak about the rights being denied back home. From there, they intend to come to Pakistan. The anticipation grows. Those close to the family say their arrival would mark a moment of emotional strength for the movement. Their presence, they believe, would stir something in the ranks of supporters who have stood confused and scattered in the absence of their leader. They speak of a new energy, something dormant reawakening. They say the supporters would gain fresh courage from the sight of their leader's blood walking beside them. The government, on its part, has begun issuing warnings. Those in power have said the brothers could be arrested if they participate in any protests within the country. That signal alone sent ripples through Opposition circles. Some ask why sons cannot fight for their father. Others ask whether their passports would even allow entry and whether the airport would become a border too far. People in political circles say this is intimidation, nothing more. Yet the threat feels real. Some believe that even from abroad, the brothers can play a role. They can speak where others are silenced. They can reach out to policymakers who will not pick up calls from Pakistani politicians. They belong to a world where influence wears suits, not shalwar kameez. And they have a surname that echoes through Pakistan's alleys and courtrooms. The whispers are no longer about whether they will step in. They are about how far they will go. Those within their father's party speak of a new movement set to begin in August. They say the sons are ready to walk into the storm. The former prime minister's sister has already stood at the gates of Adiala, defiant and unbowed. Now, eyes turn to the sons. Some say this moment was always coming. That family steps in when institutions fail. Observers say the protests can only succeed if the people rise every day – not once and not briefly, but as a pulse that does not fade. A political storm cannot come and go like summer rain. It must linger. Across Pakistan, parallels are drawn. They say former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto walked this path when her father was taken from her. They recall Maryam Nawaz building her place brick by brick after her father fell. They speak of political inheritance as a fire passed down, not as entitlement, but as duty. In drawing rooms in Islamabad, they ask if history is being rewritten again. In villages across Punjab, they ask if the sons will come. In the United Kingdom, policy watchers wonder if the boys of cricket's icon will now step into politics' bloodsport. There are no clear answers yet. Only speculation and only waiting. But one thing is certain. The story of Pakistan's dynasties is far from over. And a chapter, long delayed, may finally begin with the sons of a jailed leader stepping into their father's shadow.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Oxford family want more funding for research into rare diseases
Six-year-old Idrees plays happily in the garden of his Oxford home, with his older sister Eliza. He can keep up with her now, but a year ago he was struggling with symptoms caused by a very rare metabolic disease, Niemann-Pick."His liver and spleen were enlarged and it affected his lung capacity, so he would get breathless," said dad Qasim. "He was in a pram until last year." "When doctors said his life expectancy would be very short, we were devastated. Our world came tumbling down." Shortly after Idrees's diagnosis in April last year, a potential treatment emerged, but it was rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). "Knowing your grandson has a devastating disease is only made worse by knowing there is a treatment which he can't access," said Nasreen, Idrees' the drug company is offering Idrees treatment under special "compassionate use grounds" but that is not guaranteed to continue. "It's absolutely changed his life and ours. He's not being teased at school. He could only do 10% of what his sister could at his age. But now he's caught up." said his dad. Niemann-Pick is a rare disease, affecting only about 40 people in the UK. There is no about 3.5 million people in the UK have other rare diseases and for 95% of the 6,000 known rare conditions there is no approved treatment - while about one in three people wait more than five years for a diagnosis. The life sciences not-for-profit organisations LifeArc and Genetic Alliance UK say that needs to change. They are calling for the government, NHS, researchers, industry, patient groups and policymakers to work together to transform a new report, they make several recommendations to "streamline research and development, create an attractive environment for investment and drive progress for people with rare diseases"."The challenges we face are clear – but so is the potential for meaningful change," said Dr Sam Barrell, chief executive officer of LifeArc."We must act today to demand better, to work together and to transform the system for the millions of people living with rare diseases." 'Better future' The report comes at a pivotal time, as the government is considering the future of the Rare Disease Framework, which sets out a national vision for how the UK will improve the lives of those living with rare diseases.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said "We know that those living with rare diseases and their families face immense everyday challenges."One of the top priorities will be to improve access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs for patients."Our 10-year Health Plan will also help turn cutting-edge research into treatments for people with rare diseases, such as advancing genomic testing to accelerate diagnoses."Qasim hopes that will help Idrees and others like him. "We need to be the leaders in finding solutions. I want everyone to work together to secure a better future for the children of this country." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Gulf Today
06-07-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Ajman Police honour policeman for good performance
Brigadier Khalid Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Ajman Police, honoured Police Sergeant Ahmed Qasim Taha from the Traffic and Patrols Department in recognition of his outstanding efforts in performing his community role and his initiatives to bring happiness to the public, including his contributions during Eid al-Adha. Brigadier Al Nuaimi praised Sergeant Qasim for presenting a commendable image of policemen through his positive interaction with community members and his role in strengthening trust and communication between the police and the public. During Eid al-Adha, he shared in the public's joy, extended his congratulations, and cooperated in taking commemorative photos, creating an atmosphere of happiness and community engagement during this blessed occasion. Sergeant Qasim expressed his deep gratitude for the honour, emphasising that his true happiness lies in serving the community and bringing joy to people, especially during religious and national occasions. He noted that this recognition serves as a motivation to continue his dedication and excellence in serving the nation.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Shooter gets life sentence in RTI activist's 2018 murder case
After seven years of trial, a local court in Moradabad district sentenced shooter Vikas Chaudhary to life imprisonment in the 2018 murder case of RTI activist Qasim Saifi from Pakbara village. The verdict was pronounced by additional district and sessions judge-3 Anchal Lavania, who also imposed a fine of ₹ 20,000 on the convict. However, the court acquitted three other accused — former Pakbara village head Haroon Saifi, ex-Samajwadi Party leader Alka Dubey, and an aide named Kuldeep — citing lack of concrete evidence against them. For representation only (HT File Photo) Qasim Saifi, an RTI activist known for exposing irregularities in local development works, had gone missing on December 27, 2018, after leaving home for the tehsil office. His family lodged a missing person's complaint on December 29. The case was later reclassified as an abduction on January 3, 2019. After several days of investigation, police arrested shooter Vikas Chaudhary on January 9 from Durmanjpur village in Shamli district. Acting on the accused's confession, police recovered Qasim's decomposed body from a sugarcane field near his village. Further investigation led to the arrest of Alka Dubey and Kuldeep, while former village head Haroon Saifi surrendered in court after returning from Saudi Arabia. Police alleged that Haroon Saifi had orchestrated Qasim's murder through Alka Dubey, who then hired Vikas Chaudhary as the shooter. Qasim had reportedly used RTI applications to seek information on development projects in Pakbara, which had allegedly created friction between him and the local leadership. Following the arrests, all four accused were granted bail. However, the police later filed a chargesheet against them. The prosecution led by additional district government counsel Ranjeet Rathore argued for the strictest punishment. On Monday, the court convicted Vikas Chaudhary based on the available evidence and sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a ₹ 20,000 fine. The remaining three accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. Former village head Haroon Saifi, speaking after the verdict, claimed that his name was maliciously included in the case due to personal enmity. 'At the time of Qasim's murder, I was in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. I was targeted under pressure by some local rivals,' he said. However, Qasim's father, Sabir Hussain, expressed dissatisfaction with the court's decision. 'We believe Haroon Saifi was the mastermind behind my son's murder. Qasim had asked for RTI information on development work in Pakbara, which made him a target. Alka Dubey and Kuldeep were also involved. We will file an appeal in the high court,' he said. The murder had sparked massive outrage in Pakbara. On January 11, 2019, when Qasim's body was brought back, angry residents vandalized the local police station and blocked the highway demanding immediate arrest of the accused. Tensions were only eased after the arrest and surrender of the key suspects.
